CUMTA Proposes Unified Road Design Code

What makes an ideal road? Can one road design code be followed across the entire Chennai metropolitan area?

The Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) says yes. It has prepared a draft of a common street and road design code for the city.

The new code aims to solve problems like broken footpaths, frequent digging of roads, and uneven pedestrian facilities. It will serve as a guideline for four corporations, 12 municipalities, 13 town panchayats, one special grade town panchayat, and 22 panchayat unions.

The draft rules will apply to roads maintained by many agencies, including the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), the state highways department, and other agencies. In total, 15 stakeholders will follow these guidelines.

Aswathy Dilip, Managing Director of ITDP India, said the guideline is important because different agencies currently follow different standards. Some use IRC rules, others follow MoRTH norms, and some use their own manuals. A single guideline will help create uniform and better road infrastructure across the city.